Semaphore



(No Model.)

R. G. STONE.

SBMAPEORE. No. 351,003.

l!! im nnlulll UNiTnn STATES PATENT @Tricia RODERIOK G. STONE, OF BOSTON, GEORGIA.

SEIVIAPHORE.

SPECIFICATION farming part of Letters Patent No. 351,003, dated October 19, 18825.

Application died June 8, ISSG. Serial No. 204,552.

To @ZZ 20700712, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, RODERICK G. STONE, ot' Boston, in the county of Thomas and State 0i' Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Semaphores, oi' which the following is aspecicatiomrelerence beiughad to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The object of the invention is to provide a day and night signal for use on railroads, which shall be efficient and simple in construction, and not liable to become disarranged by the action of rain, snow, ice, or other causes.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a front view of my improved semaphore set to indicate dangen or so that the train must be brought to a stop. Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the semaphore set for safety77 Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section on the line a' Fig. 4 is a perspective view of' the upper portion of the invention, part of the casing being removed to show the interior construction.

Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts in the respective iigures.

This invention is designed to constitute both visible and an audible signal, although the 'features which provide for the sound signal, 'preferably produced by the explosion of a torpedo placed upon one rail ofthe traclnmay be omittedand the visible signal used alone.

A A are vertical posts arranged over or in proximity to a railroad-track, having a cross beam, A. A casing, A, provided at the upper part of the posts A A and cross-beam A by a planking or sheathing, the central portion of which is left open at each side,at b, the spaces thus 'formed being those through which the signals are made visible to an approaching train. The space b is preferably situated directly over the track, which is indicated by C. The top of the casing A is closed bythe cross-beam A, its lower part being open, and within the casing the signal proper (indicated by D) slides.

The signal proper preferably consists of a board divided into two lengths, one of which is painted red, or other color, to indicate danger, or convey whatever other idea may be agreed on, in accordance with road regulations, the other half being preferably white,to indicate safety or other understood condition.

lt is here supposed, however, that it is the object of the invention to indicate danger and saf'ety, and that when the red signal is v exhibited at the space b the engineer of an approaching train is required to stop upon seeing the signal; but should the white signal be displayed he may pass the signal. The red portion of the board D is indicated by d and the White portion by c. llhe board D is preferably provided at its n pper side with sheaves f, which run upon a rod, y, extending from the vertical post A to that A', and immediately under the crossbeam A. Rope sheaves or pulleys are attached to the vertical posts AA', as shown at 7L h h h. A cord or wire, z', attaches to one end of the board D, and, passing through the post Aand over the sheave h, is provided with a weight, k. 'lo the opposite end ol" the board is attached a cord, fi', which passes through the post A over the sheave L, through the vertical pipe l, (attached to the post. A,) under the sheave h,and through the pipe or box on to the signal station or tower. rlhe end et' the board at which the weight is located is also provided at its lower edge with a cord, fi, which, passing over the sheave h', attaches to the outer end of a lever, n, whose inner end is jointed or pivoted to the vertical post A. The lever n, when the danger-signal is displayed at the opening l), is adapted to rest over one rail ot' the track, as shown in Fig. 1, the end of the lever being ilattened and enlarged, so as to rest upon and cover a torpedo secured to the rail in the usual manner. The two divisions d e of the board D are each provided with a lantern, o, hung within an opening cut in the board, each lantern showing a light of the color of its division of the Signal-board. The lanterns are adapted to be lifted out from the board by a rod provided with a suitable hook.

The operation of the invention is as follows: Supposing it is intended to stop an approaching train before it reaches the point at which the semaphore is located, the red square or flag is exhibited, and at night the red lantern is lighted. The engineer shonld,ltherefore, on seeing the red signal stop; but should he not see it, on reaching the semaphore a wheel of the engine will tread upon the outer end of the lever n, which rests over one rail, th us exploding the torpedo under the lever and giving to ICC the engineeran audible intiniation thathc must stop. the White portion of the board D and its lantern are displayed at the open space b, the Weight 7c being drawn up. ment the lever a is'lifted, the parts being, therefore. brought to the lposition shown in Fig. 2. The construction issuch that on releasing the cord t" the signal will be automatically adjusted to danger.77

It is not essential to my invention that lthe upper rod, g, and sheavcsf be used in connection With the sliding signal-board, as any other means ofguiding it may be used. Neither need the board be constructed of Wood, as it may be of tin, sheet-iron, or cloth, and beused with or Withoutthelanterns. Neither is it essential to the invention that the .torpedo adjustment should he used with the signalboard.

The casing A" may be of wood, tin, or sheet iron. From the fact that the lower portion of the casing`is open while the top is cl0sed,it is evident that snow cannotcollect or drift Within the casing to interfere with the sliding movement ofthe signalboard, and that the operating parts are fully protected from rain, Sto.

Having described my invention, I claim- 1. The vertical support, cross-beam, and

"casing, the latter having open spaces, as dcscribed, combined with a sliding semaphore or board having different divisions or colors adapted to be displayed at said spaces, substantially as set forth.

2. tThe vertical posts, cross-beam, and casing, the latter having spaces and being open at the bottom, as described, combined With a semaphore or board having` different divisions or colors to be displayed at said spaces, and adapted to slide Within and be protected by the casing, substantially as set forth.

If safety77 is intended to be indicated,

By the same move-` 3. The vertical posts, crossbeam, and casing, the latter having spaces, as described, combined with a cross-rod, and a semaphore or board having sheaves resting upon said rod and adapted to slide Within said casing, said or colors to bepdisplayed at said spaces, substantially as set forth. Y

4. The vertical posts, cross-beam, and casing, the latter having spaces, as described, combined with a cross-rod, a semaphore or board having sheaves and adapted to slide on said rod, and cords, sheaves, and a weight for operating said board, said semaphore or board having different divisionsfor colors to be dissemaphore or board having different divisions played at said spaces,substantially as set forth.

5. The combination ot' vertical posts, crossbeam, casing having spaces, as described, slid` ing semaphore or board,and lanterns,said semaphore or board havingdifferent divisions or colors to be displayed at said spaces, substannoDnnioK e. sroNn. [L s] lVitnesses J. T. CULrnrrnR, WV. M. BRooKs, T. T. STEPHENS. 

